5 Misconceptions about the Violence in Gaza

As thousands of Gazans clash with Israeli forces along Israel’s border with Gaza, the number of casualties continues to grow – and so has public condemnation of Israel. Here are five misconceptions fueled by the media about the current violence in Gaza – and what really is going on.

1. Gazans are protesting the new American Embassy in Jerusalem

“Tens of thousands protested along the frontier against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem” declared Britain’s Guardian newspaper. Many media outlets followed suit – misreporting the riots that rocked parts of Gaza as a spontaneous eruption sparked by the United States’ decision to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capital Jerusalem.

That overlooks the fact that the ongoing riots were planned months ago: back in February 2018, the Hamas terror group that governs Gaza announced there would be six weeks of riots along the border, set to culminate on May 15, 2018. That’s the day after Israel’s 70th anniversary of its founding as a modern state: May 15 is day mourned as the “Nakba”, or disaster, by many Palestinians and other Arabs. For weeks, crowds of Hamas militants have been gathering at points along Israel’s border with Gaza, burning tires and attempting to break down the fence and storm Israel. They’ve billed it as the “March of Return”, allowing Gazans to relocate and live in what they claim are their ancestral homelands inside of Israel.

It’s not the first time in recent years that Hamas has attempted to invade Israel. The 2014 military conflict with Gaza showed that Hamas had spent years building highly engineered terror tunnels into Israel, designed to allow terrorists to infiltrate and carry out attacks. Israel’s army uncovered ammunition, maps, Israeli army uniforms, and plans to attack an Israeli kindergarten where one of the terror tunnels ended. Since that conflict, Hamas has lobbed scores of rockets into Israel, and has even sent explosives attached to kites over the border to attack the Jewish state. Efforts to tunnel into Israel continue unabated. In April 2018, Israel uncovered the longest and most sophisticated terror tunnel yet.

Hamas doesn’t recognize a state of Israel in any borders, and last week, Yahya Sinwar, since 2017 the leader of Hamas in Gaza, reiterated his group’s position, declaring that he intended to amass enough militants to launch a major invasion of Israel. “What’s the problem with hundreds of thousands breaking through a fence that is not a border?” he asked. Sinwar’s remarks were widely reported in the Israeli press. It’s impossible that the reporters from Western media outlets tasked with covering this conflict don’t know of Hamas’ plans – to pretend this is a spontaneous uprising sparked by the US embassy’s move is disingenuous at best and deliberately misleading at worst.

2. Israeli forces massacred protesting Gazans

Turkey said that Israel and the US shared responsibility for a “vile massacre” as dozens of Palestinian rioters were killed by Israeli fire on May 14. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has a political sharing agreement with Hamas, declared “today once again, the massacres against our people continue.” In the US Security council, only a veto by the United States averted yet another condemnation of Israel.

In the past six weeks, 40,000 Gazans have stormed the border with Israel in 13 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence. Fighting these military forces, many of whom traded live fire with Israeli soldiers, doesn’t constitute a massacre. As White House spokesman Raj Shah explained, “The responsibility for these tragic deaths rests squarely with Hamas…. Hamas is intentionally and cynically provoking this response.”

As the fighting has escalated, Israel’s army has taken steps to tell civilians to stay away from the riots and to minimize deaths. On May 14, for instance, the Israeli Defense Forces put out media statements telling civilians to stay away from the riots, and dropped two rounds of leaflets warning people to stay away from the fighting.

3. The Gaza rioters are peaceful civilians

In a column in the New York Times on May 14, 2018, a Gazan named Ahmed Abu Ratima claimed that he was one of the first people to dream up the current six-week period of rioting – and admits that it has become out of control, violent and militarized. The riots “cannot be completely controlled. We discouraged the burning of the Israeli flags and the attachment of Molotov cocktails to kites.” he claims; “We have also tried to discourage protesters from attempting to cross into Israel. However, we can’t stop them.” After six weeks of riots, it seems Hamas and other terrorist groups like Islamic Jihad are now calling the shots.

In a typical day of rioting, on May 6, 2018, Israeli soldiers shot at a group of terrorists who succeeded in breaching the border and made it into Israel. They were found to be carrying an axe, wire cutters, an oxygen mask, gloves, a camera and petrol bombs. On May 14, the most violent day of riots in this bloody six-week period, Hamas deployed at least a dozen separate terror cells to breach the border with Israel in different spots; they were ordered to confront and kidnap Israeli soldiers. In two locations, teams of Hamas fighters opened fire on Israeli soldiers, and in one spot terrorists planted a bomb along the border. Israeli Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis called the multiple military threats Israel faced on that day “unprecedented”.

In the context of these military-style attacks, the fact that Hamas is encouraging civilians, including women and children, to provide cover for hardened fighters is tragic. These civilian Gazans are nothing less than human shields. For weeks, Hamas has been using its own people as cannon fodder, encouraging civilians into a war zone of its own creation.

4. Hamas is seeking peace with Israel

Back in March of 2018, when the six weeks of violence at the Israel-Gaza border were just getting started, Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh attended one of the gatherings and declared that the demonstrations marked the beginning of Gazans return to “all of Palestine” – meaning all of Israel. Since then, Hamas’ Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, has escalated Hamas’ rhetoric, appearing at the riots declaring that the Gaza rioters will “eat the livers” of the Jews, and that he won’t rest until he has personally broken into Israel and marched on Jerusalem.

Hamas, which adopted a new charter in 2017, continues to call for the destruction of Israel. In fact, it won’t even name the Jewish state, calling Israel the “Zionist entity” instead. Speaking with reporters in 2017 when he became leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar declared Hamas would disarm only “when Satan enters paradise” and explained “there’s not one minute of the day or night when we aren’t building up our military might.” The current riots at the Israel-Gaza border are Sinwar’s first chance to show his military might, and he seems to be reveling in the hatred and violence he’s causing.

5. There’s no way to fight misinformation and bias

For weeks, international media have adopted Hamas’ version of events, painting the Gaza riots as peaceful protests and Israel’s reactions as disproportionate and indefensible. For Israelis and Israel’s supporters, it can seem nearly impossible to counter the hate. But it is possible. Here are three suggestions to help inject more fairness and balance into discussions.

First, educate yourself. Read Israeli newspapers online. Subscribe to bulletins from organizations like the Israel Defense Forces https://www.facebook.com/idfonline/ and Honest Reporting (honestreporting.com). Speak with Israelis. Despite the violent nature of the current Gaza riots, Israelis have been remarkably unified in supporting their military’s response to the terror and infiltration and live fire they’ve come under. Learn how Israelis are responding to the violence on their border, and to international efforts to blame Israel for the riots.

Second, don’t be afraid to speak out. When you see unfair reporting or hear Israel slandered in the media or elsewhere, say something. Write letters to the editor. Blog about Israel. Speak up when people discuss the news as it relates to Israel. It’s crucial that lies and distortions about Israel don’t go unnoticed and uncorrected.

Finally, do all you can to educate those around you. It can be hard to believe that Hamas is sending bombs attached to kites sailing into Israel. It can sound incredible that they are cynically using human shields in their campaign to invade and destabilize Israel. It seems much easier to blame Israel’s military for the recent violence instead. It’s up to each of us to spread accurate information, showing that far from conducting peaceful, measured protests, Hamas is cynically orchestrating violent protests that harm their own people. As Israel fights at its border, we all have a responsibility to fight misinformation and distortion that slanders the Jewish state.

Yvette Alt Miller earned her B.A. at Harvard University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Jewish Studies at Oxford University, and has a Ph.D. In International Relations from the London School of Economics. She lives with her family in Chicago, and has lectured internationally on Jewish topics. Her book Angels at the table: a Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat takes readers through the rituals of Shabbat and more, explaining the full beautiful spectrum of Jewish traditions with warmth and humor. It has been praised as "life-changing", a modern classic, and used in classes and discussion groups around the world.

Israel prophetically after returning home no nation will ever withstand them. Every battle against Israel will completely be unfruitful.Joel 2:2-5;Isaiah 2:2-7 and Zachariah 12:9

(8)
Dvora,
May 18, 2018 8:24 PM

Vietnam and the Middle East Connection

Arabs dug underground tunnels for the Viet Cong in North Vietnam into South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Since then, all over Israel. I have developed a new policy. I tell you ONCE and then I am done with it. No quid pro quo on line or in public any longer. I stopped in 2007. You do realize who won the Vietnam War, right? I have no comment about self defense because that is not just your right but your obligation.

(7)
Richard,
May 18, 2018 12:11 PM

Has anybody verified the casualty numbers?

These numbers come from Hamas. How many folks were really killed and/or injured? It is sad that anybody should suffer like this and that the Palestinians and most of the world behave the way they do and bring the actions of Israel upon themselves. Perhaps if we started to bring legal actions against those who lie and slander, especially in the media and the UN, perhaps they would modify their hate speech against Israel and the Jews.

(6)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2018 9:50 AM

Fighting the war online

I don't think Israel appreciates just how much the war spills over into online commentaries. I believe the Palestinians are much more media savvy. Mr. Netanyahu proves repeatedly to be tone-deaf. Declaring the day of the US embassy opening "a glorious day for Israel" while not mentioning the current Gaza events at all, while the world is being fed pictures of a seemingly lopsided violent conflict with the Palestinians, only makes things worse. His tone should have been more measured and balanced. He could have expressed Israel's happiness and gratitude, while at least paying lip-service to the terrible situation a short distance away, showing some degree of concern and gravitas. I consider myself on the front lines sitting in my office in Manhattan. I am part of the online battle. It is heartening to see fellow Zionists, but overwhelming just how biased the media is and misinformed the public is. Rest assured, we in the diaspora will keep fighting for Israel at our computers- and even with our simple but clear political statements by wearing the largest Stars of David possible (on the NYC subway), at times like this. But really, Israel needs to learn to play the media game. It's about tone and choice of language. Even last week's coverage about how the Prime Minister's Office served dinner in a shoe to the Japanese Prime Minister and his wife, is another example of what I'll call "obliviousness". Israel needs to go to "media finishing school". Although it's also her prerogative to just not care. Am Yisroel Chai!

(5)
Jose E. Marques,
May 16, 2018 4:26 AM

The truth will always come out.

Thanks for a well written and well research article. very informative and precise. Blessings to Israel and the Jewish people.

(4)
Mike,
May 16, 2018 12:41 AM

We were told that President Trump was an anti-semite.

Since before he was elected the media has been suggesting that Donald Trump is an anti-Semite. They did this even though his daughter converted and is raising the grandchildren Jewish. They continued their lie even when it became clear that he had a personal friendship with Benjamin Netanyahu and many other Israelis. Will they still be able to support that crazy idea now that he has moved the embassy to Jerusalem and won the admiration of Jews around the world? If our media can spread such despicable lies about the president, how can we trust them to report the truth about Gaza or anything else.

...(cont.)
Then the 40,000 Terrorists attack the Israeli border in TWELVE positions, attempting to break through and commit mayhem and killings with bombs, rocks, etc.
So the Israelis start shooting at the feet (‘one of his limbs’) to stop them and 2,000 of the terrorists are hit, (5%) and 50-59 or so ([about 1/8%] died.
If the Israelis wanted to kill, they could have done a much better job than 1/8 of one %!
It is sad that we must kill, but the Hamas are terrorists, and they use all money and resources to kill Jews, not to help their people...who voted for them over 70%.

(2)
marvin Gruza,
May 15, 2018 4:55 PM

Sadat came to Jerusalem to make peace

In 2018 Donald Trump moved the US embassy to Jerusalem.Why is recognizing reality so astounding and why does it take so long?

40 years earlier then Pres Sadat of Egypt truly wanted wanted to make peace, and came to the Israel capital - Jerusalem and spoke to the Knesset (and yes he drove into Jerusalem via Hwy#.1 which goes across the green line near Latrun)

If Sadat had no problem with Jerusalem as our capital why is the world (including sadly still the US State Department) so stuck?

(1)
Anonymous,
May 15, 2018 2:41 PM

Maybe some myths on both sides?

I am a strong supporter of Israel and appreciate Aish providing information to help dispel myths. That said, I am questioning the veracity of this article. See the original article that is quoted here and decide for yourself: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/opinion/gaza-protests-organizer-great-return-march.htmlI think we need to realize that whether Hamas is fanning flames / inciting violence or not, as Jews we have an imperative to save lives -- all lives. It saddens me to say that we may not have the balance right anymore..

Yisrael,
May 15, 2018 7:15 PM

הבא להרגך, השכם והרגו!

If one comes to kill you, get up early and kill him! (Talmud). Yes the Talmud qualifieys it’s statement by saying “if it is possible, “save him” with one of his limbs, meaning, don’t kill him if you can stop him by hurting him by injuring one of his limbs. So what exactly is your problem, Anonymous? The Hamas leadership paid $100-1,000 to their 40,000 pawns to attack Israel en masse (that is $4-40 million!) to invade Israel proper from THEIR country, Gaza, to invade Israeli territory and kill Israelis; or, at least, destroy crops, which is a serious attack on Israeli territory. away or else they will be dealt with harshly.